 
To encourage companies to develop new ideas and market Singapore as a tourist destination, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) offers financial grants and tax incentives for various purposes. In terms of financial grants, STB has a scheme known as the Tourism Development Assistance Scheme (TDAS) which is aimed at accelerating the pace of tourism development in Singapore. In terms of tax incentives, STB offers Double Tax Deduction for Inbound Tourism Promotion and Double Tax Deduction for Local Trade Exhibitions, which are aimed at encouraging companies to market Singapore as a destination at overseas trade fairs and missions as well as to expand their markets by participating in international trade-oriented exhibitions held in Singapore.
Besides TDAS and DTD, STB which is the lead agency for tourism, can facilitate the application of other grants by other agencies such as the Economic Development Board, International Enterprise - Singapore and Spring Singapore.
For other government incentives to help startups and SMEs finance, upgrade, or expand their businesses, visit the business.gov.sgwebsite.
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OBJECTIVE
The Tourism Development Assistance Scheme is a financial assistance programme which aims to:
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Incentivise companies to develop new and innovative world-class tourism products so as to enhance Singapore's tourism product offerings and supporting services;
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Develop the event management sector's capabilities through the staging of world-class events so as to significantly raise the profile of Singapore;
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Encourage the creation of new, innovative and exciting tours and tour packages to enhance the Singapore branding;
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Encourage companies to upgrade their business processes and functions so as to realise greater revenue, cost efficiencies or skills;
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Upgrade the industry through assisting associations to engage approved Professional Conference Organisers to organise international association meetings;
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Encourage collaboration among different tourism entities to bring about synergy through collective efforts.
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ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
All applicants should be Singapore-registered entities.
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QUALIFYING COSTS
TDAS provides assistance to cover a percentage of the qualifying cost of the project, which includes professional services, equipment and materials, production costs and test-marketing costs.
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DISBURSEMENT OF GRANTS
The grant is disbursed to the company on a reimbursement basis. The final claim shall be made within six months of the end of the qualifying period.
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HOW TO APPLY
Applicants are requested to contact STB for more information. Applicants are advised to discuss the proposed project with the officer-in-charge prior to making a formal application. Formal applications must be made on prescribed application forms and submitted to the STB.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Singapore Tourism Board
1 Orchard Spring Lane, Singapore 247729
Tel: (65) 6736 6622
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Description
This scheme aims to encourage Singapore tourism companies to promote the provision of services for inbound tourism to Singapore through participation in STB-supported overseas trade fairs / missions.
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Scope of Assistance
The Double Tax Deduction scheme allows approved companies to deduct against their taxable income, twice the eligible expenses incurred for participating in overseas fairs / missions.
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Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, a company should meet the following requirements:
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Must be a resident company or have a permanent establishment in Singapore;
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Is currently not enjoying any tax relief under the Economic Expansion Incentives (Relief from Income Tax) Act;
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Is to promote Singapore services for inbound tourism.
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Qualifying Expenses
Expenses eligible for consideration include:
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airfare, accommodation and subsistence allowance (up to two employees)
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publicity such as printing of event-related brochures and advertisement;
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stand / space rental (trade fair only)
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stand construction / facilities (trade fair only)
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freighting of fair exhibits (trade fair only)
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insurance for fair exhibits (trade fair only); and
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other incidental expenses as approved by the Board
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Application Procedure
Company completes application form and submits the form at least seven (7) days before the commencement of the event to STB with the following supporting documents:
For amounts less than S$20,000:
For amounts more than S$20,000:
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List of organisations which you would meet during the exhibition;
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Itinerary of the trip;
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Quotations of economy airfare and accommodation;
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Quotations for printing of publicity materials and advertisements, and a copy of these publicity materials/advertisements;
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Official fair profile / brochure of trade fair (including space / stand rental rates)
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Quotations for booth construction
Companies do not need to wait for approval prior to commencement of the event.
Companies will receive a letter of approval or rejection from STB.
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Claim Procedure
Companies to submit the letter of approval, and relevant invoices and receipts of eligible expenses to Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) to obtain tax deduction. The Comptroller of Income Tax shall determine whether the expenses contained in the claim qualify for the double deduction. Click here to download the DTD Application Form for Inbound Tourism Overseas Promotion Trips.
DOUBLE TAX DEDUCTION FOR LOCAL TRADE EXHIBITIONS
Description
The scheme aims to encourage Singapore companies to expand their markets by participating in international trade-oriented exhibitions held in Singapore that are supported by STB.
Scope of Assistance
The Double Tax Deduction scheme allows approved companies to deduct against their taxable income, twice the eligible expenses incurred for approved projects.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, a company should meet the following requirements:
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Must be a resident company or has a permanent establishment in Singapore;
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Is currently not enjoying any tax relief under the Economic Expansion Incentives (Relief from Income Tax) Act;
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Is exhibiting in approved local trade fairs
Qualifying Expenses
Expenses eligible for consideration include:
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Costs of space/stand rental and stand construction/decoration;
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Publicity costs (e.g corporate brochures, advertising etc);
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Insurance for exhibits;
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Cost of economy airfares and accommodation incurred for inviting up to 2 overseas buyers to visit Singapore during the duration of the exhibition;
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Other incidental expenses as approved by STB
Application Procedure
Company completes application form and submits the form at least seven (7) days before the commencement of the event to STB with the following supporting documents:
For amounts less than S$20,000:
For amounts more than S$20,000:
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Quotations for space/stand rental and stand construction/decoration;
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Quotations for printing of publicity materials and advertisements, and a copy of these publicity materials/advertisements;
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Quotations for insurance of exhibits;
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A copy of the invitation to overseas buyers and quotations of economy airfare and accommodation;
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Official fair profile / brochure of trade fair (including space / stand rental rates);
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Quotations for other incidental expenses
Companies do not need to wait for approval prior to commencement of the event.
Companies will receive a letter of approval or rejection from STB.
Claim Procedure
Companies to submit the letter of approval, and relevant invoices and receipts of eligible expenses to Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) to obtain tax deduction.
The Comptroller of Income Tax shall determine whether the expenses contained in the claim qualify for the double deduction.
Click here to download the DTD Application Form for Local Trade Exhibitions.
For more information, please contact:
Singapore Tourism Board
Tourism Court
1 Orchard Spring Lane
Singapore 247729
Tel: (65) 6736 6622
Fax: (65) 6736 9423
Last updated on 06 June 2007
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